A Couple of Drawings

[kramus]

I'm pulling together work to revise the galleries on my website and saw these pieces that I thought I could share here. I can't get myself to measure the figures out, so please forgive any awkwardness evident due to work being proportionally challenged

2 hour drawing sessions using a 17" x 24" pad.

Amanda Reclining


Betty Reclining


Zoe Seated

[jjackm]

a nice sense of form on these, especially the second one.

[Descartes]

Love the technique, particularly the first where the colours show the most. It works well to show the structure. I find your comment about measuring a little sad as there are a few proportional issues on these that (to me) weaken the overall drawing. Having said that I tend to measure to check proportions after drawing so it may be difficult to change things (are these in pen?).

[lovin art]

I think the last one reads well , the head is to small in the second one , the first one the shoulders seem smallish ...

I agree with nathan about the measurement thing ...

[kramus]

Thanks everyone for looking, for your critiques, and for your interested insights.

*sigh* I tend to find that after the initial set-up (which I do measure in the broad sweep of the layout) the flow of the drawing is what I enjoy. Years ago I stopped worrying about the changes that happened when the model took a break, or simply positionally wandered during an extended pose. I relaxed and decided that I would draw what I see so long as it wasn't too jarring for me. I don't like trying to draw what isn't there when I am in a figure session, so if the pose changes and the group has let it slide, well so be it. A perfect rendering is more a happy by-product and not my first goal when I sit down for an extended session. Not too often do I end up with a drawing that I really like, and those are sometimes (proportionally anyway) more flawed than the ones that seem well laid out but are lacking in an intangible way.

I'll never be a quality figure artist like so many are in this forum. But I can enjoy exploring the energy flow, the curve and flow of the model while laying down my pencil strokes.

If anyone is at all interested in a bit of a breakdown - the first model was rather fierce and insisted that she was re-assuming her pose. I liked the way the lines in the drawing were going and so I ignored the negativity that was running through the room around me that day - it was fun to try and capture her almost electric air, magnified by her hair-cut and piercings. She twisted and slumped from seating to seating, and even during seatings. The second image - the model kept falling asleep and her head would fall right back, mouth open. She was a chore for the portrait people in the group. I gave up on getting her head right and luxuriated in the truly beautiful play of light over her figure. The third model, poor thing, had some kind of itchy feet thing happening, so I wound up with what I wound up with. She had a richness to her I think I was able to capture though.

Excuses, I know, but for the most part I try to find something I like and enjoy from my sessions, and once and a while want to share here what I had enjoyed in each drawing.

[macrobertson]

Mark I like the rendering in this set of drawings, I too run into that problem of no measuring after a quick layout of where the figure is going to be, I feel that the proportions should all work out with accurate observation as the drawing evolves... doesn't always work that way though

Mac

[kramus]

So true Mac, so true.

[carolkay]

Hi kramus,

You really do have a wonderful style, I would just be looking at checking the measurements. I like the hatching following the contour style.

[bethanyt]

Well, Mark- you are the one I want to set my easel up next to! You won't complain and you will be getting on with the drawing and not worrying too much about challenges like the model having an attitude!
Please don't be negative about your ability...
"I'll never be a quality figure artist like so many are in this forum."
We are all on a journey- and some are further along the path, some have taken a side road, too.
I like the surfaces you have created on these- they have a 3D quality to them that is admirable.

[Nonno]

Around here, models with bad attitudes generally don't get any more work.
I reckon I can see the attitude in her face!

I feel sorry for the last one with the itchy feet. Can happen to anybody!
And again her feet look like they're giving her grief. The rest of her looks quite relaxed! Of the three drawings, I think this is the best one.

I model, and I get sneezing fits. Fortunately, they've never coincided yet!

Jonathan.

[WaterMike]

Interesting work, and philosophy! I must be lucky because I've never gone to a session where the model had an attitude! They've all been very open and hard-working. I find that surprising actually but it's good to realize. You definitely captured the attitude in the first.